My husband and I live in the so-called terraced house. We've always dreamed of a house with a big garden, but well, life writes its own scenarios. Nevertheless, I did not give up my gardening passions and - as soon as we moved here - I decided to turn our terrace into a real oasis of greenery. Several years have passed since then and I am proud to say that I have made it.
I start spring cleaning on our terrace as soon as the last snow disappears. After winter, it is necessary to remove dried leaves, twigs and other debris brought in by the wind. Occasionally a plank in the fence or landing will come loose. Then I ask my husband for help. On the terrace I put a few larger pots and many small containers in which the plants winter.I cover the most sensitive ones, especially hydrangeas, in late autumn with garden fleece or straw mats. In spring, I take the covers off the pots and check how my green pupils have wintered. If there is such a need, I remove the damaged twigs and trim the whole bushes a bit. I do this with box trees, for example, of which I have several. I also have weigela, tonsil, forsythia and jasmine in large pots. A few years ago I also planted a willow and a birch brought from the nursery. The trees in containers do not grow too much, but they give shade and a lot of greenery.
Spring is also the best time to feed your potted plants. Personally, I most often pour compost soil into the containers, which I buy in a garden store.
In addition to trees and shrubs, I also have many flowers and herbs on my terrace - e.g. lavender, mint and lemon balm. The first to appear are primroses, narcissi, sapphires, hyacinths and tulips. When they bloom, I only dig up the tulip bulbs every year and keep them in a ventilated place until mid-September.Other bulbs stay in pots for several seasons. I only separate them when I want to rejuvenate the plant.
I plant the colored pansies into the bulb containers first, and then - the pelargonium, begonia and lobelia seedlings.
Our terrace is my asylum and passion. I rest here, amid the scent of maciejka and lavender, not even going anywhere for the summer.
Marzena Włodarska
Bogdanowice
